June 4, 2012

The transit of Venus

I watched it when the San Francisco Exploratorium streamed it almost eight years ago. Tomorrow, it will be happening here at around 6 p.m., so viewing is out for me for the rest of my life. Next transit is 2117.

posted by sstrader at 8:57 PM in Space | permalink

May 24, 2010

Phoenix

Our intrepid Phoenix lander is officially gone. NASA reports:

Apparent changes in the shadows cast by the lander are consistent with predictions of how Phoenix could be damaged by harsh winter conditions. It was anticipated that the weight of a carbon-dioxide ice buildup could bend or break the lander's solar panels. [Team member Michael] Mellon calculated hundreds of pounds of ice probably coated the lander in mid-winter.
457706main_phoenix20100524-browse.jpg
posted by sstrader at 4:43 PM in Space | permalink